| GUADALOUPE-(11-1-2005) It’s World Record for Andrea Gancia and Matteo Miceli, who have crossed on January 10th at 01:26’:20’’ UTC the arrival line at Point-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, after 13 days, 13 hours, 58 minuts and 27 seconds of sailing on board their 20 feet catamaran Abaco Team Property Management OceanCat. The time has been recorded Officially by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.
The previous record on the crossing Dakar-Guadeloupe was established by Hans Bouscholte and Gérard Navarin on 1999, with 15 days, 2 hours and 26 minutes, so it’s been beaten by 1 day, 12 hours and 28 minutes.
Both skippers have arrived in good physical conditions, only affected by local hand irritations. Just after reaching land, their wishes were a nice shower, a superb dinner and a deep sleep...
Intense last miles to the arrival, blowing 20+ NE winds, continuous showers and 2.5 to 3m wave heights. Their catamaran, a Balance Ocean Cat 20’, signed by the young designer Sito Avilés Ramos, has succesfully behave to the difficulties of this long adventure. A great success, achieved thanks to the precious advice of Paolo Gemelli, a Navimeteo meteorologist, engaged in this successful attempt since the very beginning, who followed Matteo and Andrea throughout their preparation.
Supporting this world success has been the Italian Holding Abaco Servizi, leading Company in the execution of purchase Projects, technical-administrative management and property heritage resignation. They have enthusiastically shared their strengths within this Project, which joins together professionality and adventure, technological research and passion for the sea in the most harmoniuos manner.
Many thanks also for their technical support to: Harken, Contender Sailcloth, Musto, Cantiere Navale d’Este, Universt Italia, Centro Vernici DR s.r.l., Allucionazione, Mutuelles du Mans Assicurazioni and for the logistics of Hotel Santoni.
Pictures of the arrival, images and skippers’ comments will be published as soon as possible at the website www.oceancat.net, where it’s also possible to download the previous press releases and the ship’s log of the whole crossing. A special report 26 minutes long is soon to be transmitted through Sailing Channel satelite tv.
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